Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway faces new delay, completion pushed to July 2026

The Rs 15,188-crore expressway, expected to slash travel time between the two metros, remains less than 50% complete amid land, clearance, and technical hurdles across three states.

The much-anticipated Bengaluru Chennai expressway, billed as a game-changer for southern India’s connectivity, has once again run into delays. Initially slated for 2023, the 263.4-km corridor will now be fully operational only by July 2026, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed in Parliament while responding to Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan.

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With a project cost of Rs 15,188 crore, the expressway was envisioned as a seamless high-speed link cutting travel time between the two cities to just under three hours. But so far, only 100.7 km—less than half the total stretch—has been completed. Karnataka has finished 71.7 km up to Bethamangala, while Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have made partial progress on their respective segments.

The roadblocks vary across states. Karnataka’s delays stemmed from prolonged land acquisition and disputes over compensation for affected structures. Tamil Nadu encountered technical hurdles in blasting through rocky terrain and securing clearances for land levelling. Andhra Pradesh, meanwhile, is grappling with permissions to work through the eco-sensitive Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary.

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According to the ministry’s revised schedule, the Sundarpalya–Byreddypalli stretch will be ready by December 2025, the Gudipala–Walajahpet corridor by October 2025, and the Arakkonam–Sriperumbudur section only by early 2026. The Byreddypalli–Bangarupalem stretch in Andhra will be the last to open, finally pushing completion to June 2026.

Once finished, the expressway is expected to dramatically ease road travel between Bengaluru and Chennai, enhancing trade, tourism, and economic ties between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. For now, however, commuters must wait as deadlines continue to stretch like the highway itself.

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